Enteroscopy Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Enteroscopy Overview Enteroscopy is a technique used for the examination of the small bowel or small intestine. The small intestine is a crucial part of the digestive system, where most of the nutrients from food are absorbed. Enteroscopy allows doctors to inspect the lining of the small intestine for abnormalities such as inflammation, ulcers, tumours, and bleeding. Enteroscopy can also be used to remove polyps or for taking tissue samples for biopsies. Reasons for examination Your doctor may recommend enteroscopy for a number of reasons including:Chronic Abdominal Pain or Bleeding: If you are experiencing unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bleeding, or iron-deficiency anaemia, enteroscopy may be recommended to pinpoint the cause.Investigation of Malabsorption Syndromes: For conditions like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, enteroscopy can be used to investigate whether there is any damage to the small intestine that affects nutrient absorption.Detection of Tumours and Growths: Enteroscopy can detect tumours, polyps, and other growths within the small intestine, which might otherwise go undetected in other types of imaging.Evaluation of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may affect the small intestine. Enteroscopy can help assess the extent of the disease and monitor for complications. Preparation Before undergoing enteroscopy, patients typically need to avoid eating or drinking for at least 6–8 hours before the procedure to ensure the small intestine is clear for examination. Another step involves taking special preparations like laxatives or enemas which may be required to clean out the intestines, as a clean bowel improves the quality of the examination.Some medications, especially blood thinners, may need to be paused before the procedure. It is important to discuss ongoing treatments with your doctor. Procedure Enteroscopy can be performed in several ways, depending on the area of the small intestine that needs to be examined. The most common approaches include:Standard Enteroscopy: In standard enteroscopy, a long, flexible tube with a camera at the tip (endoscope) is inserted into the mouth or the rectum, depending on whether the doctor is accessing the upper or lower parts of the small intestine.Double-Balloon Enteroscopy (DBE): The DBE is a more advanced form of enteroscopy. It uses two balloons attached to the endoscope to help navigate through the loops of the small intestine. This method is particularly useful for examining parts of the small intestine that are hard to reach with standard enteroscopy.Single-Balloon Enteroscopy (SBE): This technique is similar to DBE, but instead of using double balloon, this technique uses just a single balloon.Capsule Endoscopy: In some cases, patients may swallow a small, pill-sized camera that captures images of the small intestine as it moves through the digestive tract. This is typically used when other methods are unsuccessful or unsuitable.The common procedure remains the same for all including the following steps:First, the patients are sedated to make the procedure more comfortable.Next, the endoscope or balloon device is gently inserted through the mouth or rectum, depending on the part of the small intestine being examined.The doctor then inspects the walls of the small intestine, looking for abnormalities. At this step, if needed, tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken for further analysis, and small growths like polyps can be removed.The procedure might take up to 30 minutes to 1 hour. This depends on the complexity of the condition. Benefits Enteroscopy offers several benefits for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes:Comprehensive Visualization: Enteroscopy allows for detailed images of the small intestine, which cannot be fully assessed through other imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT scans.Early Detection: The ability to directly visualize and biopsy suspicious areas leads to earlier detection of tumours, polyps, and other pathologies.Minimally Invasive: As a less invasive alternative to surgery, enteroscopy reduces recovery times and complications.Treatment and Diagnosis Combined: Enteroscopy can be used to both diagnose and treat certain conditions, such as bleeding, removing polyps, or even treating strictures in the intestine. Alternatives to Enteroscopy Depending on the symptoms and medical condition, some alternative procedures may include:CT or MRI Enterography: These imaging techniques use contrast to capture detailed images of the small intestine and surrounding organs, though they lack the direct visualization and therapeutic capabilities of enteroscopy.Capsule Endoscopy: For patients who may not tolerate traditional enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy offers a less invasive alternative, though it does not allow for biopsies or therapeutic interventions.Colonoscopy: While primarily used to examine the large intestine, a colonoscopy can sometimes provide useful information about the lower portion of the small intestine. Side Effects and Risks Though enteroscopy is generally safe, it carries some side effects and risks including:Discomfort: Patients may experience bloating, cramping, or mild discomfort after the procedure.Bleeding: A small risk of bleeding can occur, particularly if a biopsy is taken or polyps are removed.Perforation: Though rare, there is a very small risk of a tear or puncture in the wall of the small intestine.Infection: Any invasive procedure carries a slight risk of infection, though this is uncommon.